Pyrophoric lighter



lv-v 4, '1952. J. DELATTRE-SEGUY PYROPHORIC LIGHTER Filed Feb. 24, 19502 SHEETS- SHEET 1 INVENTOR Y vll ill action of spring I attached xedlyat one of its ends to case I, directly or by means of stationary shaftII, at a point of said case substantially below axis 8, and, in theparticular showing of Fig. 2, to the right of said axis. At the other ofits ends, spring I0 is attached to the pivoting end 1 of cover 5,directly or by means of a stationary shaft I2, near the top lid of thecover. Spring l0 and its points of attachment are such that the springalways tends to pull cover downwards towards shaft II, thereby causingcover 5 to rotate with wheel 9 around axis 8 in the opening direction ofthe cover (clockwise in the representation of Fig. 2). However, thepivoting motion of ,cover 5 and wheel 9 is limited to an angle of about90 asa result of several cooperating actions:

(a) at its closed position (Figs. 2 and 6), cover 5 is heldsubstantially parallel to the top of case I against the tension ofspring I0 by means of a locking device, which comprises a lock I3similar to a gun trigger and susceptible of pivoting around a shaft I3asupported by the sides of case l towards shoulder 2; this lock, at oneend, engages cover 5 near its opening end 6 by any suitable means, suchas shaft I4 attached to the sides of the cover, and, at its opposite endterminates as a push button I5 normally projecting outside case Ithrough an opening therein. A spring I1 is attached at one end I8 to thecase I in any suitable way and at its opposite end to lock i3 at pointI9 between shaft I3a and button I5, thus tending'continuously to liftpoint I9. Therefore, cover 5 is held at its closed position by thelocking grip of trigger I3 on shaft I4 against the tension of spring I0.But, when a slight pressure on button`l5 releases the opening end 6 ofcover 5 to the action of spring I0, the latter causes said cover 5 topivot, clockwise in the drawing, with, or around, axis 8 to bring saidcover to the open position, shown in Fig. 3.

(b) upon said release of cover 5 from its closed position, as justdescribed, this cover and wheel 9 pivot simultaneously with or aboutaxis 8, clockwise in the drawing, over an angle of aperture of about 90.The aperture ofy this angle is the result of the suitable arrangement ofthe points of attachment of spring I9, namely at shafts I I and I2, inthe casing and the cover, and of the tension of said spring I 0,together with the fact that shoulder 3 of case I is, as illustrated inFig. 3, of such length that it serves as an abutment for cover 5 whenthe latter has pivoted around shaft 3 over the aforesaid angle.

Thus, in its closed position, cover 5 is generally parallel to the topof case I, as represented by shoulders 2 and 3, while in its openposition it is substantially at right angle thereto.

vThe angle of aperture, given above at 90, can vary somewhat from saidvalue. But from a structural as well as from an operational point ofview, the variation cannot be great, and the value heretofore givenseems preferable.

The bottom of case I consists of a flanged portion 20, which serves, bymeans of suitable lleted parts such as 2|, as support for aflint-holding tube 22, containing flint 23, which is maintained instriking contact with Wheel 9 by means of suitable springs 24 and plug25, or otherwise.

The opening pivoting motion of cover 5, as heretofore described, and theconcurrent pivoting of wheel 9 cause the latter to produce, incooperation with fiint 23, sparks which will ignite the fuel then beingreleased from its container as hereafter described. As a feature of thisinvention, sparks are produced as long as wheel 9 and cover 5 pivot withor about axis 8 over the aforesaid angle of aperture.

The remaining part of the bottom of case I is open, as shown at 26, andthis opening serves to introduce into, or remove from, case I a fueltank 21 containing inflammable, liquied gas, such as butane, undersuitable pressure, and, if desired, a mass of absorbent material, suchas cotton. The roof of tank 21 supports towards one of its ends anassembly 28 Iof a gas release and expansion valve 29 and burner 30, theaxis of said assembly being so arranged as to bring the tip of theburner 38 and the point of contact of wheel 9 with flint 23 Within adistance which will allow the spark produced by pivoting of wheel 9 overflint 23 to light the gas issuing from the burner tip, upon opening ofvalve 29. Burner 30 is slidably mounted within assembly 28; its lowerend forms a valve plug so arranged that when the burner moves slightlyoutwardly from assembly 28, gas is released from tank 21 through valve29 and burner 30. A spring 3|, mounted within assembly 28 maintains theburner and its plug at the closed position, preventing escape of gasfrom tank 21 as long as the lighter is not in use. The tip of burner 30may be shaped as, or be provided with, a flanged collar 32. Since thefuel in tank 21 is under pressure, a small motion of burner 3D issufficient to let out the fuel required for the production of a name ofuseful length, or conversely, to interrupt the gas flow and extinguishthe flame.

According to this invention, the displacement of burner 30 with itsvalve plug outward of assembly 28, and therefore the escape of gas fromtank 21, are obtained automatically, and concurrently with theproduction of sparks as a result of the action of wheel 9 against flint23, as a result of a single manipulation of the user, namely his actionon button I5, which, as heretofore described, causes release andpivoting of the cover 5 with or around axis 8, with simultaneouspivoting of striking wheel 9. This result is obtained by means of thefollowing features, which are among the principal ones of thisinvention:

A bracket 33 is attached to tank 21, towards the upper end of Side 34nearest assembly 28; the actual point .and method of attachment of thisbracket to the tank may vary from those shown in the drawing; asillustrated, the upper end of bracket 33 terminates in the shape of afork 35 located between int holder 22 and the anged tip 32 of burner 38,fork 35 serving as support for a shaft 36 pivotally mounted therein andlocated parallel to and slightly below the lower plane of flanged collar32. Shaft 38 serves as pivot for a double-forked lever 31. One fork 38of lever 31 engages under collar 32 in a plane generally parallel to theplane of the under-flange of said collar; the second fork 39 of lever 31extends from shaft 36 on the side thereof opposite burner 30, aroundflint-holder 22, ina plane preferably, but not necessarily,perpendicular to the plane containing axis 8 and the axis of holder 22.This arrangement is such that, when fork 39 pivots downwards towards thebottom of tank 21, fork 38 will correspondingly pivot upwards, liftingcollar 32 and burner 30, thereby allowing gas to escape from tank 21.

In this embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4,the outer width of fork 38 should be approximately equal to the maximumdiameter of collar 32 and should, in any case, be somewhat smaller thanthe distance between the inner faces of the sides of case I, for thepurpose aes-16,97%

means of'whi'ch'V the gas-release;andlfthzburner areiactuated," eitherfor opening or; closing, re-A sults from'saidcontact ofthelwer edgeofthe sides of the cover 5,- atitspivotingend', ivithf fork-v 39, andfrom the prof-lle offs'aidfedge's 'on-the' pivoting end Tof cover 5. 7*Y Saidprofile will be illustrated-by taking as datum plane theplanacont 'nig'i the:'acis'of flint-holder 22 and VfaxisA8;(Figs2,43*and-'1); It will be assumedthat, when c'okver '5',;gburner30 and valve 29-are at the closed position, forkf39 is in a vrplane,perpendicular the datum" pla-ne,` and the distance Yof which-totheaxisfoffrotation of wheel 9l and cover''isj; andtl/iatltlie'v pivotingmotion of the vplane ofr'foi'fllzL 39required to move fork 38 and collar32 tok the fopeniafndlgasf` releasing position lof burner `-3'II"andfvalv'e 29 ismeasured by the difference between' said l distance aanda distance yb measured between tl'iejy .iiisl and the plane ofyforkl3'9'-vvhen'the:latterisfat the gas-release position, distancesdandlr-being; both; measured in the datum plane; and-distance bj being butslightly greater th" """d ista'rice air Onl thesev premises, cover 55being closed-and 'the' escape of fuel prevented, 'thedist'afnce'in ythedatum plane betweeny axiisfmandlthe lower edge of the sides of cover 5-at iits 4'pivotngendis4 equal to a; said lowervedge'f-tlienAextendsyfrom( the datum plane away ff-romth Vbirn'ei-uf'to the right inthe drawing) parallel to the upper faceof the tines of forkA 39- up to aat which the distance between axisl 8- andfsai'drl'oweriedge: is equalVto b; from'point X cin-*'(tothe right' in the drawing), said edge isshapedjasfan arcjofcircle having for center axislfSand-forradius -adimensionb, said arc beingatleastedual tothej angle of aperture ofcover'51; afterwhichfsaid edge-si profile follows anysuit'able curve`iuntiljitA- merges with'the roof'of coverlrf Thec'i'relgoingi isshownin detail-in-Fig'. '1% -v On the other side'offthe'datum plane,toward the -burneror the opening endofcover-Splel profile of theV loweredge ofi thVs'id'esi of fco'v'er 5 is more or less arbitrary', beginninginfthe datum? plane with'a distance d)betwentlieaxisfsand thesaid edge;but, as stated -before',`it`i`s 'desirable that YonV ythat side, theYprofile of-- the s'aid loweredgebe such thatthe sides/oi 'the cover fitwithinA and vbelow-the. upper edges ",4 of the-oriingfin Irl-ftheconstructionl of portable lighters# the pivoting motion of forks 38 and39`requiredtov move the" burner and its associated valve'seat fromclosed; to opened -positions'll and "vice versa is Smau. offthe order ofa fewminimters meas-` ured ori-the datum'plane'iand therefore tle dis'-tance between the datumr planeland-point is Smau.; Y Y g, 'i .`I. '1'ff.

From the foregoing itwill-fbe understood that, when pressure on button'Alreleajsesfcove'ri and allows it tog openy by. pivoting'around-aidsv 8by the action of spring I II,- theY llower i'dgei ofjethe sides of lthepivotingTendv 1ofpoveibifslon fork 139 from the' start ofsaid 'Ypivc'itiiig"v inet-ion",l lowers said fork'very rapidly, ov'ea-s'nialliangle denedlby lthe distance"D?bftti-re'el1gtli;A planefandf'p'ont X, thereby biig'lgdelt foi'k38to bear oncollarv 32l ofburner 30;and its.v associated valvev plug,v moving thelatter from'thegclose'd' to thekhopened position, thereby releasing gasfrom tankl21; and, further, that, as

A a result-of'theprofilefof 'the'. lower edge 0f the sides'of cover 5,as heretofore described, the gas4 will'continue to nowfout 'from' tank21 .as long as cover 5 shall remain open', sincethe burner anditsfassociated valve seat'are atfthe open position during that timev(see Fig-3) f Thusfupon-openin'g ofcover 5 by mere pressureonibuttonI5, theffiow of fuel begins` and reaches *full intensity vlong beforethe.' 'covers rotation been completed; Simultaneously,` starting 4with4the' beginning of thel covers rotationvand continuing during itsduration, sparks'V are produced as ai` result of the actionfof wheel 9,

rotatingwitncoverl5, on flint 23,.,thereby insur-v ingv ample timeto/ignite the released gas; the fiowof fuel continues as longas thecover is open.

Closing of the cover 5,'a1one, permits shutting-off" the 4ilowvo'f gasfrom tank 21, such closing-'bringing'forks38 and 39'backtothe'position-'corresponding-to the-closing of the burner 39 anditskassociated valve plug, as alresultof the caminatedy shape of thel'ower`edge of the `sides of cover 5i as heretofore' described.-

When fuelItank-21 iis empty, it-caneasily be` replaced by afull tank lbypressing on button I5..

whichbpens the cover. 5,1' and Vpushing the empty tank outfof case!through bottom opening 26'; assembly28,*doubley fork 31,38.and 39 comeout together with. the tank. Similarly, the full tank,

carryinganV assembly 28bracket 33 and doublev matically at 401 and IHIrespectively limiting the` motion` of tank Y21 upwardsandsideways. Thesizeof Ilateral brackets orvribs 4I isv such'as to allow passage of thetank with assemblywZS, bracket@ andfork 31,38 and 3Q when-these partsareremoved from or inserted in case ,I.

The bottom of case I isvprovidedwith,cover-*152` which maylso servevtohold tank V21` motionless, for inSfeCebv means @f springv 43. erOtherwise The shape, the methodand points of attachment of springs I0and ,I1 maybe varied from thevfforegoing,d`escriptionas long as .themodifications preserve the function of these springs.

Moreovenin orderv to avoidtear and wear of case AI and to permit animprovement in the externalappearance ofsaid case, the pivoting partsmaybe mounted on collars revolving around xed agis orsh'aftsinstead o fdepending directly from rotating shafts or axis. Y In this way, thjecase Iv SIIDPQQS. il?? xedhafi 0r axis, ,the .ends 0f which. rriayVbghiddenin' the thickness of vthe walls kof the case, instead rof* supportingwpivoting parts. Thisjmay' b; used in the case of trigger I3;cover Sandwheel 9. Y

An improved i embodiment -of this invention is illustrated'in Figs. V8and 9 andlwill be now den scribedp* In the embodiments of thisinventionA so far described by' reference to Figs.-2 to 6, thesupport 33fori-.thedouble fork 31.', 38l and 39 is A'attached' totfuel @tank .21.2i Therefore; `lwl'ien fit isf necessaryto change fuel tank, said supportand fork come out of case I as one piece, and the new tank must carry,before its insertion in case I, a support 33 and a double fork 31, 38and 39. Any disadvantages which may result therefrom may be obviated, asshown in Figs. 8 and 9 by mounting bracket 33 and the double fork 31, 38and 39 detachably on tank 21, so that, after tank 21 with assembly 28,bracket 33 and the double fork 31, 38 and 39 has been removed from caseI, the bracket and the double fork which it supports may be separatedfrom tank 21 and assembly 28. In this manner, the new or replacementtank need only have attached to it the assembly 28, while the samebracket 33 and double fork 31, 38 and 39 can be used over again.

In the improved embodiment here described, by reference to Figs. 8 and 9a thin movable sheath |I ts closely around the Vertical portions of tank21 which is on the side thereof on which assembly 28 is mounted; bracket33 is not mounted on the tank 21, as was the case in the embodimentillustrated by Figs. 2 to 6, but is now mounted on sheath IOI. Thus,upon removal of a tank 21 from case I, the tank, its assembly 28, sheathIOI with its attached bracket 33 supporting forks 31, 38 and 39 come outtogether, but this whole can be separated into two parts, one consistingof tank 21 and assembly 2S, and

the other consisting of sheath IOI with bracket 33 2 and the doublefork. Conversely, if a new tank 21 with its assembly 28 must be insertedinside case I, a sheath IIII with its connected bracket 33 and doublefork 31, 38 and 39 is fitted beforehand around tank 21, in such a Waythat fork 38 slides under the under-flange of collar 32 of the burner,and the whole is then inserted in case I.

In this embodiment the upper roof of sheath III is shaped as a two-prongfork fitting around such parts of assembly 28 that protrude out of tank21.

Sheath II may, by friction, reduce or eliminate movement of tank 21inside case I, and may therefore permit the elimination of brackets orribs 49 and III, shown in Figs. 2 and l8.

The walls of sheath I0| may be so shaped as to lighten it and make itsseparation from tank 21 easier.

The method for operating, lighting the ame and shutting it off,according to this improved embodiment, as well as the construction ofthe remaining parts of the device remain substantially as described inconnection with Figs. 1 to '1, with the same results.

Another improved embodiment of this invention is illustrated in Figs. to12 and described hereafter, which presents advantages as compared withthe embodiments so far described and illustrated in Figs. 2 to 9. Inthis other improved embodiment, all the axis or shafts of the device areindependent from the outer case I, so that the latter serves merely tohold the inner assembly in place and for decorative purposes. In thismodication, the operating mechanism of the lighter depends from a sheathI 0|, similar to that shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and heretofore described,and from a second sheath |02 and from suitable extensions of thesesheathes, sheath |82 surrounding at least partially tank 21 on the sidethereof towards trigger I3 and being independent from sheath IiI.

In this Yother improved embodiment, bracket V33 and the double fork 31,38 and 39 which it supports'depend from sheath IIII, substantially asdescribed in connection with Figs. 8 and 9. But, here, sheath Inl isprovided with an extension bracket |83 having parallel walls ||l3a andI03b and ixedly attached at IIlIal to sheath IIII on the side towardsflint holder 22. The shape of said extension bracket |03 is suchthat: 1) when tank 21 is in place inside case I, at least part of theouter edges of said extension bracket |03 fits against the inner side ofcase I as shown at |04 and |05 in Figs. 10 and 11; and 2) the upper endof said bracket |03 supports shaft 8, with its dependent wheel 9 andcover 5, and serves as attachment point for end I of spring I0.

The outer distance between outer faces I03a and |031 of extensionbracket |03 is preferably shorter than the distance between the innerfaces of the sides of cover 5, so that the sides of said extensionbracket |03 fit inside the cover 5.

Flint holder 22 is screwed or otherwise attached to a flange |33 formingthe bottom of extension bracket |83. The height of joint IIlIal betweenthe bracket |03 and the sheath |0I may be varied, and the length offlint holder 22 may be correspondingly varied. The rigidity of flintholder 22, in this embodiment as well as in the others, may be increasedby providing for a collarbracket |01 attached to the sides of theextension bracket |83, or of case I. Extension-bracket |53 may beprovided, as an upper extension of the edges |04 and |05, with a tongue|08 which fits within shoulder 3 of case I and serves, in cooperationwith other parts of the structure, to hold tank 21 and its appendedparts in place inside case I. In this embodiment, the profile of theedge of the sides of cover 5, its operative relation with fork 39 remainas described previously, with the same overall results in the operationof the lighter.

The upper part of sheath |02 presents tWo parallel extensions |09,fitting snuggly within shoulder 2 of case I, thereby contributing tomaintain tank 21 and its associated parts motionless Within case I.Shaft I3a and spring attachment I8 are supported by extensions |09.Otherwise, the release and closure means for cover 5, and theiroperation, are substantially as described in connection with Figs. 1 to7.

In the improved embodiment last mentioned, bottom I I8 of case I is openover its entire crosssection, so that tank 21, with sheathes I0| and |82and their dependent parts may be removed from or inserted into case as aunit. When the whole inner assembly is out of case I, tank 21 andassembly 25 can easily be separated from the remaining parts by slippingoff sheath I 0I and its dependent parts, and sheath |02 and extensionbracket |83 with their dependent parts.

It is seen that pushing button I5 inside of case I allows said removalor insertion of the inner mechanism.

Bottom IIB of case I, which is open on its entire cross-section, isclosed by means of suitable cover -III which may also contribute tomaintain the inner assembly in place inside case I.

In all'embodiments of this invention, it is desirable to mount Wheel 9and cover 5 with respect of each other around their axis of rotation 8in such a manner that wheel 9 will only rotate with cover 5 during theopening of the latter, remaining motionless while cover 5 is closed.Methods and means to accomplish this result are well known, and havetherefore been neither described nor shown. This result may be achieved,for instance, by mounting cover 5 and wheel 9 ontwoindependentjcollarspivoting around axis 8 i: 'and by *providingI one"side-face t-fwheel Sltvith radial i'atch'ets so 'disposed that a"Sprhgattached "190 the 'adjairillt l'lv'll'l faCE'`f alsd'bfrovl 5f-.engages one` of the ratchets .when the "cover opens, .therebyrotatingthe wheel 49 'with thecover, but I"slides, over f's'aid ratchetswithoutrnotion ofthe v v`wheel when thecove'r 5 isbeingTcIOSed.. I'Whenthe closed cover is againopened it is again 'ready to.' move wheel 19 byengagement of the spring "withanother' ratchet' oftheiiwhe'el. l i' u Inall embodimentsiof"thisinvention', the dir'm'ensions of the "case I kcanbe varied 'withinlimits 'zin relation to "those 'ofrfuel tank 21, bychanging fthe dimension ofdistan'ces a and 'bi andthe ravdius of wheel9,andlbyl'adjustng` the `distance betweenthe .axis of. flint holder 22Y:and tankv 21. y-The 'smaller the dlmen'sions'a and b and .thera- "diusof wheel 9,.an'dthel distance between 'the axis offlint holder'22 :andtank 21, the smaller `the height 'and widtnofrca'se I I-'clai-m'as myinvention: 1 f a r*A lighter, .c'ornprising'infcombination,v .an outery'casinghaving 'an open Itop portion and op- -posite sidewalls; a'covermemberllocatedin said wopen top'portionfof's'aidi casing andextend-ing'between said side walls,"said cover member being 'mounted, atan Zend lportion thereof located-adf jacent one of said 'side walls, forpivotal movenient, about any Vaxis extending 'transversely llthroughsaid endportio'n of'said cover member, between one positionwhere said'cover member 7substantially'closes saidopen top'portio'n of s'aid casingand another "position where said :cover member Juncovers .said open top.portion of Asaid leasing; spring means located .only between `said axisand' saidone side walliofsaid casingl and 'be- 'ing operatively'connected to said cover.' member 'for `urging .the 'sametoward saidother position thereof; releasa'ble latch means located adjacent saidopen .top'portion andl thevotherof said Topiposite side wallsof saidcasing-and beingoperatively connected ,to said cover member for 're-4leas'ablyv holdingthe same in said one position thereof'against theaction of said 'spring'.means; a :friction wheel operatively connectedto -i said vcoverfmember for turning movement. `therewith Afrom said oneto'said other position and about `said axis` flint.. means engagingsaidfriction vwheel; 'combustible-huidcontainer means locat- .:ed insaid casing beneath 'said cover member and spacedafrom saidzone sidewallof said "casing: i valve. means mou'nted .on said. container. means:and .being-:located on the. opposite Vside of said 'axis from c'said.spring means.;v and lever v.means interconnectingfsaid valve meanswith-'said end portionA ofsaidicover memb'enf'or opening-said .valvemeans upon movement of said cover member tov said 1 other -positionthereof,.-whereby, lwhen saidreleasable latch means isactuatedzto frelease. said cover memben. said.. spring means .'movesfthe `lattertosaid other. position thereof to"simultaneouslyrotate said frictionWheel and open. said. valve means..` 'j f v -L f v- .12; Ay lighten.comprising in combination, an gouter casing having an; open top portionand op- ,.posite side walls; a'channel-shaped.cover-mem- '.ber having anopen bottom;. being located-in said opentop portion of said Vcasing andextending `between. said :side walls,v said coverv member.being.gmounted at an end portion' thereof located :adjacent 'one ofsaidside walls,- forV pivotalmove- `ment; about an axis extending`transversely fthroughrsaid end portiorr cfu-said, cover' niemr,.ber,between:oneV position wheresaid cover-merriber substantially closess-aid open top portion of fsaidcasing and another position where saidcover -memberfuncovers-said open top portion of said casingkbpring meanslocated only between said ,axis and said one side-Wall of' said-casingand being operatively -connectedqto' said cover lmemberforfingingthe-samev towardA said other position thereof releasable latchmeans located adjacent said-opentop portion and the other of saidoppositel side Walls of said casing and being operatively connected'fto'said cover member for re- -leasablyholding the same in said oneposition thereof against the vaction of said spring means; a frictionwheel locatedwithin lsaid channelshaped covermember and beingoperatively connected to-said-cover member for turning movementtherewith Vfrom said one to said other position and about saidaxis'flintmeans engaging -memberand spaced from lsaid oneV side wall of .tainermeans and being Vlocated on the opposite --side of said axis from saidspring'means; and -lever fmeansinterconnecting Ys aid valve means. .withsaid end' portion ofsaidcover member for opening-said valve meansuponmovement of said cover member ,to saidflother position thereof, whereby,when said releasable latch means is actuated-to'release said covermember, said spring `means moves theylatter to said other positionthereof `tol simultaneously rotate said friction wheel and'opensaidvalve means.

3. A lighter, comprisingin combination, an outer vcasing having an opentop portion and 'opposite sided walls.; y a. channel-shaped cover.member having an open bottom, vbeing located in saidnopentop portion ofsaid'casing and extending.A between'said sidewalls, said `cover memberbeing mounted, a-tone endl` portion thereof located adjacent'one of saidside walls, for

-pivotal movement, aboutY an axis extending transversely through saidend portion of said cover member,` between oneV position where saidIcover member substantially closes said Vopen top portion of saidcasingand another position where saidcover'member uncovers said opentopportion -of said casing; vSaid end portion of said cover memberhaving at least one bottom camshaped-side edge; spring meanslocated onlybemember-for releasably holding the same in said .onefposition thereofagainst the -action of said springfmeansayfriction Wheel located withinv"said `channel-shaped cover member and being operatively connected tosaid cover member for turning movement'therewithfrom said one to saidVother position .f and-about said axis; nint means engagingsaid frictionwheel; combustible iiuid icontainerwmeans locatedl in said casingbeneathsaid cover member and spaced from said onev side wally-of vsaidcasing; Y valve means mounted on :said-container "means and beinglocated on'the opposite side of said axis from said spring means; andpivotally mounted lever :means connected-tosaidvalve means and abutztingagainst .said cam-shaped bottom side edge of said end portionofxsaidicover member for open- *ifng saidevalve means .uponv movement ofsaid @Ver .member toy said other position thereof,

whereby, when said releasable latch me'an's is actuated to release saidcover member, said spring means moves the latter to said other positionthereof to simultaneously rotate said friction wheel and open said valvemeans.

4. A lighter, comprising in combination, an outer casing having an opentop portion and opposite side walls; a channel-shaped cover memberhaving an open bottom, being located in said open top portion of saidcasing and extending between said side Walls, said cover member beingmounted, at one end portion thereof located adjacent one of said sidewalls, for pivotal movement, about an axis extending transverselythrough said end portion of said cover member, between one positionwhere said cover member substantially closes said open top portion ofsaid casing and another position Where said cover member uncovers saidopen too portion of said casing, said end portion of said cover memberhaving bottom cam-shaped side edges; spring means located only betweensaid axis and said one side wall of said casing and being operativelyconnected to said cover member for urging the same toward said otherposition thereof; re-

said one to said other position and about said axis; elongated flintmeans engaging said friction wheel; combustible-fluid container meanslocated in said casing beneath said cover member and spaced from saidone side wall of said casing; valve means mounted on said containermeans and being located on the opposite side of said axis from saidspring means; and pivotally mounted lever means connected to said valvemeans, having a bifurcated end located about said flint means andabutting against said camshaped bottom side edges of said end portion ofsaid cover member for opening said valve means upon movement of saidcover member to said other position thereof, whereby, when saidreleasable latch means is actuated to release said cover member, saidspring means moves the latter to said other` position thereof tosimultaneously rotate said friction wheel and open said valve means.

5. A lighter, comprising in combination, an outer casing having an opentop portion and opposite side walls one of which is formed with anopening extending therethrough; a channelshaped cover member having anopen bottom, being located in said open top portion of said casing andextending between said side walls, said cover member being mounted, atan end portion thereof located adjacent to the other of said side walls,for pivotal movement, about a first axis extending transversely throughsaid end portion of said cover member, between one position where saidcover member substantially closes said open top portion of said casingand another position where said cover member uncovers said open topportion of said casing, said end portion of said cover member havingbottom cam-shaped side edges; spring means located only between saidfirst axis and said other side wall of said casing and being operativelyconnected to said cover member for urging the same toward said otherposition thereof; releasable latch means mounted for pivotal movementabout a second axis parallel to said lrst axis, being located adjacentsaid open top portion and said one side Wall of said casing, and beingoperatively connected to said cover member for releasably holding thesame in said one position thereof against the action of said springmeans, said latch means having an end portion extending through saidopening in said one side Wall so that said latch means may be actuatedfrom the outside of said casing; a friction Wheel located Within saidchannel-shaped cover member and being operatively connected to saidcover member for turning movement therewith from said one to said otherposition and about said first axis; elongated flint means engaging saidfriction wheel; combustiblefluid container means located in said casingbeneath said cover member and spaced from said other side Wall of saidcasing; valve means mounted on said container means and being 1ocated onthe opposite side of said rst axis from said spring means; and pivotallymounted lever means connected to said valve means and having abifurcated end located about said iiint means and abutting against saidcam-shaped bottom said edges of said cover member for opening said valvemeans upon movement of said cover member from said one to said otherposition thereof, whereby, when said end portion of said latch means isactuated to release said cover member, said spring means moves thelatter to said other position thereof to simultaneously rotate saidfriction Wheel and open said valve means.

6. A lighter, comprising in combination, an outer casing having an opentop portion and opposite side Walls one of which is formed with anopening thereon; a combustible-fluid container removably located in saidcasing adjacent said one side wall thereof and spaced from the other ofsaid opposite side Walls thereof; valve means mounted on said container;a first sheath member removably mounted on said container and locatedadjacent to said other side wall, said first sheath member having a rstextension extending therefrom to said other side wall and said open topportion of said casing; a bracket mounted on said first sheath memberadjacent said valve means; elongated flint means removably mounted onsaid first extension and being located adjacent to said bracket; a levermember pivotally mounted on said bracket, having one end engaging saidvalve means for operating the same and having an opposite bifurcated endl -located about said'flint means; a channel-shaped cover member havingan open bottom, being located in said open top portion of said casingand extending between said side walls thereof, said cover member havingan end portion pivotally mounted on said first extension over said flintmeans for movement about a first axis'between one position Where saidcover member substantially closes said open top portion of said casingand another position Where said vcover member uncovers said top portionof said casing, said end portion of said cover member having bottomcam-shaped side edges abutting against said bifurcated end of saidlever; spring means located only between said iirst axis and said otherside wall of said casing and being connected at one end thereof to saidcover member and at the other end thereof to said first extension forurging said cover member toward said other position thereof; a frictionwheel mounted Within said channel-shaped cover member and beingconnected thereto for pivotal movement therewith about said first axisfrom said one position to said other position thereof, said frictionwheel engaging said flint means; a second sheath member removablymounted on said container adjacent said one side Wall of said casing andhaving a second extension located adjacent said one side wall and saidopen top portion of said casing; releasable latch means pivotallymounted on said second extension, for turning movement about a secondaxis paralle1 to said first axis, and having an end portion extendingthrough said opening in said one side wall of said casing so that saidreleasable latch means may be actuated from the outside of said casing,said releasable latch means being operatively connected to said covermember for holding the same in said one position thereof against theaction of said spring means, whereby, when said end portion of saidreleasable latch means is actuated to release said cover member, saidspring means moves said cover member to said other position thereof sothat said valve means is moved into its open position and said frictionWheel is turned against said flint means, said rst and second sheathmembers permitting said casing to be entirely separated from the otherparts of the lighter.

'7. A lighter, comprising, in combination, a lighter body havingopposite sides extending downwardly from an upper part of said body; alever located on said yupper part of said body and having opposite endportions respectively located adjacent said sides, said lever beingmounted, adjacent one end portion thereof, for pivotal movement, aboutan axis extending transversely through said lever, between aninoperative position where said lever is located adjacent said body andan operative position where said lever extends upwardly from said body;spring means operatively connected to said one end portion of saidlever, between said axis and the extremity of said one end portion ofsaid lever, for urging said lever toward said operative positionthereof; releasable latch means on said lighter body 1ocated adjacentsaid upper part thereof and the one of said sides thereof distant fromsaid axis and being operatively connected to said lever for releasablyholding the same in said inoperative position thereof against the actionof said spring means; a friction wheel operatively connected to saidlever for turning movement therewith about said axis; flint meansmounted on said body and engaging said friction wheel; combustible-fiuidcontainer means located on said body beneath said lever and adjacentsaid one side of said body; valve means mounted on said container meansand being located on the opposite side of said axis from said springmeans. said valve means being movable between open and closed positionsfor respectively opening and closing said container means; and meansassociated with `said valve means and lever for synchronizing theoperation of said valve means and lever so that said valve means is openwhen said lever means is in said operative position thereof and so thatsaid valve means is closed when said lever means is in said inoperativeposition thereof.

JEAN DELATTRESEGUY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,153,432 Reich Apr. 4, 19392,482,794 Peterson Sept. 27, 1949 2,495,345 Quercia et al Jan. 24, 1950FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 787,706 France July 8, 1935 815,729France Apr. 12, 1937

